Penguin Audiobooks

The selection of titles and artists for Penguin Audiobooks' catalogue is so good, it brings alive myriad worlds like no other.So good, that all your ear's a stage.

WORLD WAR II HISTORY

We wanted to convince people that Penguin Audiobooks can bring alive the world of a book, making for deeply immersive literary experiences. And we chose 'The Third Reich Trilogy' from our range of World War II History titles to illustrate this point. We put Hitler centre-stage giving a rousing speech to the Nazis in an ear-shaped arena in the centre of Berlin. This was brought alive with careful attention to the architecture, costumes, and the mileu of the city at war. From the Nazi motifs, to the city-centre cleared for Der Fuhrer, to the criss-crossing tram-, telegraph- and electric lines to the dark and foreboding atmosphere of a world at war.

THE GREEK CLASSICS

We wanted to convince people that can bring alive the world book, making for deeply immersive literary experiences. And we chose 'The Illiad' from our range of Greek Classics to illustrate this point. We put The Illiad's 'Trojan Horse' episode centre-stage in an ear-shaped arena in Ancient Greece; which was brought alive with careful attention to the crafts and architectural patterns of the time' the city planning, the daily costumes of the people, the class divisions in society visible in the arena's seating arrangements, right down to local rituals like the burning of incense to appease the Gods.

INDIAN MYTHOLOGY

We wanted to convince people that Penguin Audiobooks transforms titles based on Indian mythology, into deeply immersive literary experiences as well. The title in question: JAYA by Devdutt Patnaik. Inspired by the mythos of the Indian epic, Mahabharata, depicted here is an episode from it - Draupadi's Mattiage. To win princess Draupadi's hand in marriage, suitors have to shoot an arrow through the eye of a golden fish attached to a revolving chariot-wheel. Just by looking at its reflection in water. Taking centre-stage in the 'ear arena' is Arjuna, who succeeds. The arena is faithfully recreated in a mix of the Hindu and Buddhist architecture styles of India and South Asia. Including the profiles, recesses, design motifs on stone and other details. The costumes, tropical vegetation and the ceremonial elephants are based on medieval Indian paintings, and they enhance the overall drama.